Wanabe Rally Racer

Hi everyone im new to these forums, this will be my first post. i will be buying a car in the spring. I want to to get into ameteur rally racing. (and by ameteur i mean racing my buddys on the old logging trails by my cottage lol) at first the car will just be for transportation until i slowly upgrade. okay. so far i am looking at a late 80's golf or gti. , a eagle talon as there are TONS of 'em for sale here for dirt cheap(mabey not so good) or possibly a civic hatchback. i would love a subaru but i cant afford anything half decent for the money i can spend. so i am wondering, what car would be suitable for what im after? as for upgrades, nothing on this car will be for show. the only money i put into it will be for performance. first either a turbo or supercharger depending on the motor i guess. new exhaust from the headers to the muffler, then brakes and finnally suspension . any thoughts and/or insights would be much appreciated as this will be my first car. thanks, MIGGLES

Over the past 5 years civics have gotten a reputation for saving gas (which they do) so now they're in high demand. So I would say avoid civics like the plague right now. You can buy an integra for only slightly more, a 95 Integra GS-R costs about 500 more than a 95 Civic EX according to kbb. An integra won't have quite as great mpg but it certainly beats out the civic in performance.

I've got a friend kind of like you who really knows how to handle his 95 corolla. It runs reliably and has a fairly peppy engine. I've ridden in it many times and it's very solid all around. May not be on the top of your list but I'm sure you could find one for a great price so you wouldn't feel guilty about getting it dirty/dented/etc.